> In fact, the top 1% paid 24.3% of all income tax. And the top 5% paid 40.6% of all income tax. Those numbers aren't normalized btw. Americans in the top 1% n

> In fact, the top 1% paid 24.3% of all income tax. And the top 5% paid 40.6% of all income tax. Those numbers aren't normalized btw. Americans in the top 1% net worth account for more than 30% of the total net worth of all Americans [1] [2]. 30% > 24.3% so it is slightly regressive from that standpoint. But there's a bigger picture and that is, what do these rich people do with their money? Does it help people or not? Arguably Jeff Bezos hurts many people's lives (eliminating mom and pop stores, mistreating employees, etc.) while Elon Musk is probably overall helping people (space exploration, more transportation options). My point is, all the Americans in the bottom X% have to provide something of value to others to maintain / increase their net worth. Many people (not all) at the top Y% are maintaining / increasing their net worth by pushing many people far below them slightly down. [1] https://windfalldata.com/blog/what-it-takes-to-be-in-the-top-1-of-every-state/ https://windfalldata.com/blog/what-it-takes-to-be-in-the-top... [2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/10/08/top-1-of-us-households-hold-15-times-more-wealth-than-bottom-50-combined/?sh=756f974a5179 https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/10/08/top-1-of-u...